Nic O'Leary Sports

Nic O’Leary Sports have chosen the best rugby union team ever – including 23 all-time greats. 

Eight nations are represented – from the Northern and Southern Hemisphere – including four-time Rugby World Cup winners South Africa.

Players in the squad range from 1960s legends to modern superstars – with 11 Rugby World Cup winners selected. 

The hard-scrummaging pack could drive fear into anyone, and is perfectly complimented by raw power and flair in the backs.

meet the best rugby union team ever!

forwards

What a pack it is to kickstart the best rugby union team ever!

Raw power from the front row, two giant locks, and two of world rugby’s greatest ever forwards bolstering the back.

Five scrummagers have won a Rugby World Cup, with the remaining three being considered as their respective country’s all-time greats.

The pack weighs a whopping 933kg; with two supersized line-out jumpers, a turnover monster and a 135kg beast up front.

front row

Loosehead Prop – Os du Randt 

Weighing a massive 135kg, Os du Randt is a twice Rugby World Cup winner and World Rugby Hall of Famer.

The Ox earned his nickname thanks to his sublime power and bone-crunching tackling.

The Springbok made 80 appearances for his country between 1994-2007 – despite his career being plagued by serious knee issues.

He makes the starting line-up of a pack built around a mix of insane force and great ball-handling atributes.

Hooker – Sean Fitzpatrick 

Sean Fitzpatrick is one of several inspirational rugby captains in this squad – leading the mighty All Blacks 51 times.

The 1987 Rugby World Cup winner made 63 consecutive test appearances and won 74 of his 92 test appearances.

Fitzpatrick’s mix of strength and skill made him a superstar in both tight and loose play.

He joins our loosehead prop as the second player inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Tighthead Prop – Tadhg Furlong

Completing our front row is current Ireland international, Tadhg Furlong.

Furlong was selected for three consecutive British & Irish Lions tours, starting every single test.

Since 2015, the Irishman has made 82 appearances for his country, scoring 30 points to date.

He’s another extremely powerful – yet skilful – front rower who completes a pack who are as good with ball-in-hand as they are bolstering the scrum.

SECOND ROW 

The epitome of leadership – both locks have captained both their respective nations and The Lions.

One is the all-time international appearance holder – with the other captaining the only Northern hemisphere side to win a Rugby World Cup.

With a combined height of almost 4 metres and weighing in at 240kg, both internationals are as much the driving force behind the front row as they are formidable line out jumpers.

Between them, they have five Six Nations Grand Slams and a total of 10 championship titles.

Loosehead Lock – Martin Johnson 

Rugby World Cup 2003-winning captain Martin Johnson is another Hall of Famer and a fearsome lock to boot.

Johnson made 84 appearances for England between 1993-2003 – culminating in Australia – as he lifted the Webb-Ellis Cup.

He also made eight appearances across three Lions tours, captaining them twice, including to a series win in South Africa in 1997.

An uncompromising and fearless leader, and a dominant line out jumper, Johnson cements his shirt among these all-time greats.

Tighthead Lock – Alun Wyn Jones

Alun Wyn Jones is the all-time record cap holder with an incredible 158 for Wales and 12 for The Lions – a tribute to his longevity at the top.

Few players boast the workrate Jones displayed throughout his career – nor the immensely high standards he expected personally and from his teammmates.

Quiet and unassuming off the pitch, he put the roar into the Welsh dragon every time he played.

The Welshman brings an exceptional skillset and a super-intelligent rugby brain – he’ll get the unseen work of a forward done, with absolute precision.

BACK ROW 

Blindside Flanker – Schalk Burger

Another Rugby World Cup-winning South African joins the back row of the scrum.

Schalk Burger is a prime example of rugbying bravery – playing without fear, despite a serious neck injury.

Berger’s reputation as a flanker is a player with an unbelievable work-rate in the tackle area and the ball-handling skills to drop into any attack.

With nearly as many points as caps, the Springbok legend scored 80 points in 86 appearances for his nation.

Openside Flanker – Richie McCaw (C)

Our captain and in our humble opinion, the greatest man to ever play the sport of Rugby Union, is Richie McCaw.

McCaw captained New Zealand to two World Cup victories – 2011 and 2015 – as well as seven Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship successes.

The magnificent All Black earned 148 caps, winning an incredible 131 of those tests in the legendary jersey, in a career that spanned from 2001-2015.

A three-time World Rugby Player of the Year, World Rugby Player of the Decade and yet another Hall of Famer, just the name Richie McCaw sends shivers down the spine of any opposition.

Number Eight – Sergio Parisse 

Controlling the back of the scrum is none other than the Italian superhero Sergio Parisse.

The Hall of Famer played 142 times for the Azurri, participating in five Rugby World Cups.

The complete, all-round number eight – Parisse is as skilful as a back and a real juggernaut in the pack.

Parisse would make any rugby team in the world and was one of the first to make our all-time XV.

backs

Joining the best rugby union team ever are seven of the world’s finest backs.

Raw power meets sublime skill, electrifying pace and dazzling footwork.

The backline rolls back the years with players from the 1960s included in the squad.

Crash balls, masters of evasion – our line-up is sure to provide a try-scoring bonanza and some mouthwatering midfield collisions.

HALF-BACKS

Their names are synonymous with world rugby greats, with the pair getting into this modern rugby squad – playing a modern rugby style – despite having played the game six decades ago.

Both Welshmen made up the most iconic half-back partnership ever to play the game and each CV boasts a formidable British & Irish Lions series victory over the All Blacks.

The skill level of this pairing is unmatched and they’re orchestrators of this team’s powerful attacking backline.

Generations upon generations will have heard the names of these two all-time rugbying greats.

Scrum-half – Gareth Edwards 

The best try ever scored is widely attributed to the now Sir Gareth Edwards, for his 1973 Barbarians score.

With laser-accurate passing, rapid runs and precise reading of the game in front of him, Edwards is the perfect man to start the backline attack.

Even today, the Welshman would be a handful for any defence and regarded as one of the most exciting scrum-halves.

88 points in 53 Welsh appearances says everything you need to know about the genius of Sir Gareth.

Fly-Half – Barry John

If you’re going to be called ‘The King’ of a proud rugbying nation, you need to be able to play.

Barry John could play alright – he’d make an incredible conductor of an international rugby orchestra even in these modern times.

Precise kicking, sublime passing and magical jinking runs are cause for panic for any defence – catch him if you can.

Before his retirement at just 27, John scored 90 points in just 25 Welsh appearances, highlighting how prolific he is with ball-in-hand and boot.

CENTRES 

If we were to make a recipe to make the best centres, these two would be the perfect outcome.

Brave in the tackle area, immense handling skills, intelligence to be at the centre of attacking moves and willingness to be involved in bone-shuddering contacts.

Our 12 is the ultimate line-breaking back and 13 is a creative genius.

Both players together possess the ultimate all-round talents needed to be a world-class centre pairing.

Inside Centre – Ma’a Nonu

When Ma’a Nonu hits the line at pace, you either move out of the way or grit your teeth and embrace the incoming pain.

Not only is Nonu a crash ball menace, he also possesses a monster side-step and is the gain line-breaking centre every world class team needs.

His skillset far exceeds raw power – his ball-handling, kicking and defence are all part of his development into the ultimate all-round inside centre.

With 155 points for the All Blacks in 103 appearances, Nonu will crash over the line like a bulldozer.

Outside Centre – Brian O’Driscoll

Brian O’Driscoll has never been known for his imposing size, yet opponents dread reading his name on the squad list.

O’Driscoll is the perfect example of a royal pain in the backside in rugby-playing form – with his exceptional reading of what’s in front of him and always playing a phase ahead.

He defends with the heart of a lion and could easily make a back-row forward on his turnover prowess alone.

With 245 points in 133 appearances for Ireland, this centre partnership will defend like a brick wall and score for fun.

BACK THREE 

Left Wing – Shane Williams

On the left is the man ‘too small for rugby’, who amassed 290 points for Wales in 87 appearances.

When Williams the Wizard receives the ball, you know he’s about to light up the team attack.

His lightening pace and defence-boggling footwork saw him crash over the try line 58 times for his country.

World Rugby’s 2008 World Player of the Year won’t let his stature get in the way of making a tackle – he’s as tenacious in defence as he is magical in attack.

Right Wing – Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu is, in our eyes, the best winger ever to play the game of rugby.

We’ve put him on the right hand side because as much as Williams leaves defenders for dust in the open, giant Jonah will steamroller his opposite number on his way to the line.

Of his 185 points in 63 appearance for the All Blacks, Lomu’s 1995 World Cup semi-final try against England proved he was not just a steamroller, but also a master of evasion.

We cannot think of any opponent in the world who would enjoy the thought of this Kiwi giant, with an even bigger heart, heading straight for them.

Full-Back – Serge Blanco

Completing the World’s Best XV for Nic O’Leary Sports is none other than France’s Serge Blanco.

While France have produced many a player who is considered to us as world class – Blanco is the only one to make our squad.

His 233 points in 93 appearances for Les Bleus earned him the nickname of the ‘Pele of Rugby’.

Any team deciding to kick deep against our chosen back three is almost definitely going to regret missing touch.

REPLACEMENTS 

Making the squad of 23 in Nic O’Leary Sport’s best rugby union team ever are probably the best eight players you’ll ever see resigned to the bench at full fitness.

The hardest decisions have not been who to include in the 23 men but who not to include in the starting XV.

A line-up of forwards worthy of accolades among the world’s best this team could easily make a pack of their own.

In addition, it’s no exaggeration to say that the backs are easily three of the best ever.

Forwards

Loosehead Prop – Gethin Jenkins

Gethin Jenkins could easily make the starting XV, but has been left to come on as the game opens up, due to his ability to kick and pass like a back.

Jenkins plays like a back-rower and his workrate in the loose is formidable.

With 129 appearances for Wales and five for The British & Irish Lions, there’s no doubting he’s a world-class forward.

Os du Randt gets the nod over the Welshman due to his scrummaging, but Jenkins’ sheer athleticism will make a massive impact against a tiring opponent.

Hooker – Kevin Mealamu

Having a two-time Rugby World Cup winner on the bench seems crazy, but it’s impossible to choose between the two All Blacks.

Although he hasn’t made the starting XV, Mealamu’s credentials include being a dual-World Cup winner.

In addition to this, the Kiwi boasts 60 points in 132 appearances and led The Haka several times.

Furthermore, Brian O’Driscoll will be pleased they’re on the same side this time.

Tighthead Prop – Jason Leonard 

What a man to have in the squad – Jason Leonard has the ability to fill in at the loosehead or tighthead position and is another English World Cup winner.

His sheer longevity playing as a front-row forward at the highest level earns him an uncontested place on the bench and a secret weapon.

Incredibly, he played 114 times for England and another five on top for The Lions – with 290 club appearances for Harlequins.

While Jenkins may be more of a loose forward, Leonard is the man we need should either side of the scrum need to be reinforced.

Second Row – John Eales

If we could play three locks, two-time Rugby World Cup winner John Eales would be there with zero doubt.

Imagine having a towering second-rower who can also come on to solidify the goal-kicking if needed – That’s Eales.

His line-out qualities and ball-handling skills make him the perfect player to bring on to up the intensity in attack.

He’s just unlucky Martin Johnson & Alun Wyn Jones exist – he’s as good as them both but a great option as cover too.

Back Row – Zinzan Brooke

There has been a theme with our on-pitch and replacement forwards – the initial pack are the biggest scrummagers with replacements coming on to open up the game and add an extra dimension in attack.

Zinzan Brooke is a perfect example of this – while Sergio Parisse is the all-round number eight, Brooke’s flair ups the ante again on the attack.

Like Eales, the All Black can kick, and his 47-metre drop-goal in 1995 is testament to this.

Imagine Parisse bossing the back of the scrum, then bringing on Brooke to find that winning drop-goal.

backs

Scrum-Half – Antoine DuPont

Only one man can ever keep Antoine DuPont out of the best in the world conversation and that’s Gareth Edwards.

DuPont is a magical scrum-half, who plays 15s like its 7s and is – in our opinion – the only player capable of winning the debate between Edwards and himself.

Imagine Sir Gareth terrorising defences and then – just as the opposition think ‘thank goodness he’s gone off’- on comes the Frenchman to inflict further pain.

What a man to have on the bench, but would fill the Welshman’s shoes and has been the hardest call of the 23.

Fly-Half – Dan Carter

Dan Carter is test rugby’s highest ever points scorer, with a whopping 1598 points to his name upon retirement.

Carter conducted the backline of the legendary All Blacks orchestra to two Rugby World Cup victories.

While Barry John was the ultimate showman, Carter was mister dependable, but the very best mister dependable to ever play the game. 

John gets the nod on flair and his partnership with Gareth Edwards, but if this team ever needs to depend on someone to bag the crucial points that see them over the line victorious, then arise Mr Carter.

Utility back – Francois Steyn 

How many players in the history of world rugby can you honestly say are capable of playing fly-half, centre, wing and fullback at a world class level?

Francois Steyn is – in our humble opinion – the ultimate utility back and a dream to have as cover in any squad.

He’s a two-time World Cup winner with 168 points across 78 Springbok tests.

It’s tricky to leave Serge Blanco out of any starting XV, but Steyn – with his monstrous boot and solid defence is a perfect back-up and a world-class player to call an end to the world’s best 23.

OUR BEST EVER RUGBY union TEAM IN FULL…

best ever rugby union team – FORWARDS

1 Os du Randt (RSA)

2 Sean Fitzpatrick (NZL)

3 Tadhg Furlong (IRE)

4 Martin Johnson (ENG)

5 Alun Wyn Jones (WAL) 

6 Schalk Burger (RSA)

7 Richie McCaw (NZL) (C)

8 Sergio Parisse (ITA)

Best Ever Rugby union team – BACKS

9 Gareth Edwards (WAL) 

10 Barry John (WAL)

11 Shane Williams (WAL)

12 Ma’a Nonu (NZL)

13 Brian O’Driscoll (IRE)

14 Jonah Lomu (NZL)

15 Serge Blanco (FRA)

best ever rugby union team – REPLACEMENTS

16 Gethin Jenkins (WAL)

17 Kevin Mealamu (NZL)

18 Jason Leonard (ENG)

19 John Eales (AUS)

20 Zinzan Brooke (NZL)

21 Antoine DuPont (FRA)

22 Dan Carter (NZL)

23 Francois Steyn (RSA)